Education Commons^™

Predictive Effects Of Poverty, Gender, Native Language Spoken, And Elpa21 Proficiency On Reading Performance, Carrie Bradow

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the predictive effects of poverty, gender, native language spoken, and English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) proficiency on reading performance measured by the ACT Aspire Summative Reading Assessment for Grades 4, 7, and 10 English language learners in a Northwest Arkansas school district. Through Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the influence of poverty, gender, native language spoken, and ELPA21 proficiency were studied for influences on reading performance. Through a multiple regression analysis I examined the Spring 2019 state assessment and demographic data collected from over 20,000 student records. The findings …

Factors Affecting Teacher Satisfaction And Retention In Small Rural School Districts In Arkansas, Toni Hopkins

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine by teacher certification level the effects of 0-9 years of experience versus 10 years or more of experience on the perceptions of pay, supervision, colleagues, and working conditions as measured by the Lester Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. Understanding teachers’ perceptions of job satisfaction may increase teacher retention. The theoretical framework was Maslow’s theory of motivation and the hierarchy of needs. A stratified random sample of 144 teachers from five small rural school districts in West-Central Arkansas was used for the study. Data analysis involved the use of 2 x 2 factorial ANOVAs. …

Effects Of Participation In Athletics And Music Ensembles By Socioeconomic Status On Arkansas Academic Achievement, Aaron Leverette

Dissertations

Schools are held accountable by mandated standardized testing measuring academic achievement. Due to limited budgets, administrators have to decide how to balance funding for athletic teams and school music ensembles versus additional programs and positions that directly support academic achievement in tested subjects. The purposes of this study were to determine, after controlling for previous achievement, the effects by socioeconomic status between students who participate in athletics only versus school music ensembles only versus both versus neither on mathematics, English, reading, and science achievement measured by ACT Aspire Summative Assessments in mathematics, English, reading, and science for eighth-grade students in …

Perceptions Of Mentor Relationships By Gender For Students In A Private Liberal Arts University In Arkansas, Kimberlee Shaffer Kirkman

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of university experience on male and female students on the perceptions of mentoring relationships. The study was designed to aid university leadership in developing a rationale that could better strengthen undergraduate mentor relationships. For the study, the mentoring theory by Garza, Reynosa, Werner, Duchaine, and Harter provided the core framework for the research. Each of the hypotheses addressed the perception responses to the Ideal-Mentor-Scale in integrity, guidance, relationships, and overall relationships. The research was carried out using a quantitative, 4 x 2 factorial between-groups, causal-comparative study. No significant interaction between …

Effects Of Self-Reflection On The Perceived Value Of Peer Feedback In A Course Using Team-Based Learning, Jennifer M. Fisher

Dissertations

This study aimed to examine four factors contributing to an understanding of the effect self-reflection has on students’ valuation and confidence in peer assessment and how the type of learner affects those same factors. The type of learner was identified as either a high self-regulated learner or a low self-regulated learner through the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. Despite the requirement of teaching and measuring soft skills in allied health, little research is available to direct best practice and protocol in teaching, measuring, and documenting these skills. Self-regulated learning served as the theoretical framework, and the sample for this experimental …

Effects Of Breakfast Delivery Systems And School Poverty On School And Student Outcomes In Arkansas, Matthew Mellor

Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of the breakfast in the classroom model and school poverty on attendance, discipline referrals, and fourth-grade literacy scores. The sample was composed of data from Arkansas elementary schools. Overall, the three hypotheses had no significant interaction effect. The main effect of the breakfast delivery system was not significant for discipline referrals and fourth-grade reading but was significant for school attendance. However, the practical significance was negligible. In contrast, school-wide poverty level significantly affected the percentage of scores for fourth-grade literacy in the Ready and Exceeding categories as measured by the ACT Aspire Summative Literacy Assessment …

Predictive Effects Of District Characteristics On Arkansas Transportation Expense, Nancy Churchwell

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the predictive effects of district and community characteristics on transportation expenses of school districts in Arkansas using the Kaldor-Hicks Pareto efficiency theory. The 2004 ruling in Lakeview School District No. 25 v. Mike Huckabee mandated adequate and equitable public school funding standards in Arkansas. As a result, school districts are funded using a foundation model where the prior year’s average daily membership is multiplied by the foundation amount set by the Arkansas General Assembly. Data were collected from state databases and each school district’s website. Of the 235 districts in the state, …

Participation In Open Up Resources By Gender And Family Income Level On Mathematics Achievement Of Grades 7 And 8 Students, Timothy Brister

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects by gender and by family-income level between students using Open Up Resources (OUR) curriculum (a Problem-Based Learning [PBL] curriculum) versus traditional curriculum on mathematics achievement of Grades 7 and 8 students. A stratified random sample of 320 students from four Central and Southeast Arkansas schools (n = 160 for Grades 7 and 8, respectively) was drawn for this study. Data analysis involved the use of 2 x 2 factorial ANOVAs. The key findings of the study were that the mathematics achievement of Grade 8 students using OUR was significantly higher …

District-Based And School-Based Variables Predicting Performance Of High Schools In Arkansas, Justin Luttrell

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the predictive effects of school size, teacher absenteeism, pupil-teacher ratio, district health literacy percentage, and highly mobile student population rates. These predictive factors were examined on persistence as measured by the 4-year graduation rates, on accountability ratings as measured by the ESSA building score, and on the overall academic achievement as measured by the average ACT composite score of juniors for high schools in Arkansas, respectively. A quantitative, multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The sample data for this study comprised 75 Arkansas public high schools, selected and stratified …

Predictive Effects On Transfer Student Success By Prior Academic Integration And By Social Integration, Jacob Brownfield

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine predictive effects among the transfer GPA, the number of hours transferred, a remedial course taken pretransfer, the transferred completion percentage, the use of on-campus housing, participation in collegiate athletics, and participation in social clubs on transfer student success as measured by the post-transfer first semester GPA and graduating GPA of undergraduate transfer students at a private liberal arts university in Central Arkansas. The post-transfer number of semesters until graduation was included as a predictor variable for the fourth Hypothesis. Tinto’s longitudinal model of student departure served as the theoretical framework, and the …

Gender And Change Over Time On Reading Achievement For English Learners In Grades 3-4 In Northwest Arkansas, Molly Wingfield

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects by change over time between males versus females on reading achievement measured by the NWEA MAP Growth Reading 2-5 AR 2016 for ELPA21 Beginning and ELPA21 Intermediate levels for third- and fourth-grade students from a school district in Northwest Arkansas. This study is important because serving English learners, which is the fastest growing population of students, will help close the achievement gap and eliminate gender bias. This study is rooted in the five main hypotheses of Krashen’s theory of second language acquisition (Krashen, 1981, 1982, 2002). To address each of …

Predictive Effects Of College-Level Work Completed In High School On Baccalaureate Degree Outcomes, Wil Perkins

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the predictive effects of completing accelerated college credits over and above the predictive effects of the FASFA EFC index number, sex, and first-generation student status on baccalaureate outcomes on first-time college students on years to completion, graduation GPA, and number of hours completed. Accelerated college credits include AP, dual-enrollment, and dual-credit courses. The promise of completing college-level work in high school is that it prepares the student for the rigor of collegiate work, translating into a higher post-secondary GPA and a shorter time to degree attainment; however, little research has been conducted …

Effects Of Participation In The Summit Learning Platform By Gender On Student Academic Achievement, Taryn Enjoli Echols

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects by gender of the Summit Learning Platform on student achievement in mathematics, English, reading, and Science measured by the ACT Aspire Summative Assessment for ninth-grade students in four schools in Arkansas. This study provides an in-depth study of mastery learning versus personalized learning through the Summit Learning Platform. The theoretical framework is centered on the comparisons of the mastery mode of learning. Schools A and D participated in the Summit Learning Platform for 2 years. Schools B and C did not participate in the personalized learning platform. Scores from 120 …

Predictive Effects Of Gender, Ses, And Body Mass Index Scores On Student Achievement, Nick Hill

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive effects of gender, SES, and BMI scores on academic achievement as measured by the ACT Aspire Exam for sixth- and eighth-grade students in rural, Delta schools in Arkansas. A quantitative, regression strategy was used to analyze the data. Predictor variables for each one of the hypotheses were gender, SES, and BMI scores. Criterion variables were ACT Aspire mathematics achievement and ACT Aspire reading achievement for Grades 6 and 8. Four Arkansas Delta schools participated in the study. The sample included 366 individual student scores from sixth-grade and 350 individual student …

Gender And Participating In Capturing Kids’ Hearts On Social Emotional Learning Of Ninth-Grade Students In Arkansas, Angela S. Dischinger

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand gender differences in the Social Emotional Learning of students participating in the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program at a high school in Central Arkansas. In this quantitative, causal-comparative strategy study, there were 271 ninth-grade students who participated in a presurvey of social emotional learning outcomes and 476 ninth-grade students who participated in a postsurvey of the same outcomes a year after implementation of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program. Both samples were drawn using a convenience sampling technique. The Hanover Social Emotional Learning Student Survey instrument was used to obtain data on students’ perception …

Career And Technical Education On Mathematics And Reading Achievement For Students In North Central Arkansas, Kimberley Sartain

Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine the effects of gender and Career and Technical Education (CTE) participation level on the mathematics and reading achievement as measured by the ACT Aspire for 10th-grade students and ACT subtest assessments for 11th-grade students in 2 5-A high schools in North Central Arkansas. While researching the effects of gender and CTE participation level, this scholar found no statistically significant difference between gender and CTE participation level on student achievement. This researcher explored the literature relating to the mathematic and reading achievement of males and females as well as whether they …

Effects Of Teacher Degree And Teacher Experience On Literacy Achievement For Students Grades 3-6 In Arkansas, James Clay Hendrix

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of teacher degree and teacher experience on student achievement in literacy for Grades 3-6. School leaders are under pressure from state and national legislation to improve student achievement continuously. At the times hiring and teaching assignment decisions are made, often there is little verifiable data available about individual teacher applicants. Throughout most of the history of public education, teacher degree and teacher experience have been thought to have an impact on school quality and student achievement, so much so that nearly all teacher pay models are based on those two …

The Effects Of Lunch Eligibility And School Size On The Literacy Achievement Of African American Males Communication, Sandra Smith

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of lunch eligibility and school size on the literacy achievement of African American males. While researching the effects of lunch eligibility and school size on the literacy achievement of African American males, this scholar observed that a correlation between historical viewpoints and the academic performance of African American males were intertwined in the findings and research of some experts. Therefore, this researcher was compelled to intimately explore the literature as it related to the literacy achievement of African American males and how it evolved throughout history. During the development of …

School Climate And Demographic Factors’ Influence On Seventh-Grade Students’ Perceptions Of Bullying In Arkansas Public Schools, Kelly Powell

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of an authoritative school climate on perceptions of bullying among middle school students after controlling for demographic characteristics. In this quantitative nonexperimental study, 320 seventh-grade students were selected from four public middle schools in Arkansas using a multistage sampling technique. The Authoritative School Climate Survey was used to obtained data on the students’ perceptions of their school climate (disciplinary structure and support systems), their demographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, and school location) as well as their perceptions about bullying in the following areas: (a) prevalence of teasing and bullying, (b) prevalence …

Effects Of Teaching Level, Subject Area, And Degree On Grades 5-12 Educator Learning Modes, Meredith Young (Jones)

Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were two-fold. First, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects by subject area taught between educators in high schools versus educators in middle schools on the Abstract Conceptualization, Active Experimentation, Concrete Experience, and Reflective Observation learning modes measured by Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory in one central Arkansas school district. The independent variables for Hypotheses 1-4 were educator teaching level (high school versus middle school) and subject area taught (mathematics/science, literacy/social studies, and other). Second, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects by degree level between educators in high schools …

Effects Of The Master Principal Program On Perceived Principal Leadership Effectiveness In Arkansas, Lewis Villines

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the perceptions of stakeholders of principals who were participating in the Master Principal Institution to determine principals’ leadership effectiveness in regard to the ISLLC 2008 Standards. This study surveyed stakeholders of principals who were participating in the Master Principal Institute. A quantitative, causal-comparative strategy was used in this study. Hypotheses 1-5 were tested by 2 x 2 factorial between-groups designs. The independent variables were level of school (Elementary or Secondary) and Master Principal Program phase (Phase I and II) for each of the hypotheses. The dependent variables for the hypotheses were the …

Survey Of Teacher Attitude Regarding Inclusive Education Within Rural School Districts, Laura Daniel

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine if teacher attitudes towards inclusive education were influenced by the variables of gender, age, educational level, teaching level, and number of special education courses taken for regular general education teachers in rural school districts in South-Central Arkansas. Next, the purpose of the study was to determine the predictive effects of teaching years at the teachers’ current level, total years teaching experience, and years of special needs teaching experience on perception of inclusion for regular general education teachers in rural school districts in South-Central Arkansas. Third, the purpose of the study was to …

Effect Of Previous Role And Experience On Principals' Self-Reported Behaviors, Kiffany Pride

Dissertations

Leading schools in the 21st Century is not a straightforward matter. Principals are responsible for the bifurcated role of managing and leading instruction in schools. However, many administrators lack the requisite skills to be instructional leaders. There are no national or state mandates designating a continuum of previous roles and experiences essential to being an effective principal. Despite the immense pressure for principals to cultivate effective learning cultures, there is limited research linking principals’ effectiveness or the lack thereof to the progression of their career path. Therefore, this research study was designed to add to the diminutive body of research …

Effects Of 1:1 Computing By Ses On Student Motivation, Engagement, And Literacy Achievement, Bryan Appleton

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the effectiveness of the combination of 1:1 computing with collaborative instructional strategies. In the first and second hypotheses, exposure to a 1:1 computing environment in a literacy classroom (participation versus no participation) and SES (participating versus not participating) were the independent variables. The dependent variable for Hypothesis 1 was positive student motivation. The dependent variable for Hypothesis 2 was positive student engagement. Hypothesis 1 revealed that the interaction between the independent variables was significant. In the two groups participating in the 1:1 Program, the students not participating in the free and reduced …

Effects Of Experience And Certification Level On Professional Development, Teacher Quality, And Increased Leadership Opportunities Of Nbcts, Jamie L. Burris

Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation was to provide insight into the perceptions of Arkansas National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in regard to how the certification process impacted teaching and learning and overall student achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of experience and certification level on the perceptions of NBCTs in Arkansas concerning the quality of professional development earned, enhanced teacher quality, and increased leadership opportunities as a result of the National Board Certification process. An additional purpose of this study was to determine specifically how NBCTs perceived the certification process influenced student achievement within the …

Effects Of Gender And School Size On Mathematics And Science Achievement For Students In Western Arkansas, Jason Edward Moore

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to research the effects of gender and school size on mathematics and science achievement for schools in western Arkansas. Related research revealed historical performance gaps in mathematics and science achievement between males and females, but also showed that those gaps have closed over the past few decades. However, the research also showed that there is still a large gap in the number of males and females working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. This study also investigated this trend within western Arkansas to determine whether the gender gap in STEM is caused …

Student Participation In The Arkansas Better Chance Preschool Program Versus No Participation On Academic Achievement, Netlla Cureton

Dissertations

Education is the key to success and is vital for participation in a global society. With access to the internet, students in the United States are competing with students around the world. Providing excellence in education, pre-kindergarten through graduation, is vital to the success of America. To achieve excellence in education, students must have a solid educational foundation. In building this educational foundation, the groundwork must begin with rich early learning experiences in preschool settings.

In 1991, the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) preschool program was created to help Arkansas students succeed academically by providing them with access to early childhood …

Impact Of A Freshman Academy Versus A Traditional High School On Academic Achievement In Mathematics And Literacy, Jim Buie

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the impact of a freshman academy versus a traditional high school on the academic achievement in mathematics and literacy. The dissertation first outlined a brief history of school reform in the United States from colonial days to present. It then presented an extensive review of the literature related to the pivotal nature of the ninth-grade year and the use of freshman academies to improve student success during the ninth-grade year. The dissertation then outlined a study between two south-central Arkansas schools: a traditional high school with 151 participants, and a freshman academy …

The Effect Of Assessment Method On End Of Course Geometry And Algebra Achievement, Miguel Hernandez

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to add to the existing research concerning the effects of assessment on mathematics achievement. The effects by gender or SES of students enrolled in school districts that used a commercial assessment versus school districts that used local assessments on mathematics achievement as measured by the end of course algebra I exam or end of course geometry exam.

This quantitative, causal comparative study was performed in six rural high schools in the Arkansas River Valley. The high schools had an approximate 700-student population of which 53% were categorized as free and/or reduced lunch and 51% …

Honors Program As A Predictor Of College Readiness Of Private School Students In Arkansas, Jonathan G. Jones

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to add to the research available related to college readiness. Each of the four hypotheses were constructed to determine the predictive effects of academic program type (honors or regular) over and above the predictive effects of gender, Plan test scores, number of times the ACT was taken by individuals, and longevity in years on mathematics, English, science, and reading performance measured by ACT scores for 12th grade students in a private Christian school in Arkansas. A review of the literature identified the various aspects of college readiness, the characteristics of effective programs for college …